Dunlap starts, plays the entire first half in win over Cardinals

He was escorted to a white table, where he laid on his back. His right shoe was removed, and an athletic trainer taped his ankle.

Minutes later, he was back on the field.

If the Chargers have their way, a brief injury break during the first half Saturday will be the last time this year that a left tackle other than Dunlap protects quarterback Philip Rivers’ blind side.

At last, it appears decided. There was no more rotating, no more mixing and matching. Dunlap received the starter reps he has earned this offseason, marking the end of a position battle with Max Starks in a 24-7 Chargers win.

The third exhibition game is usually the most revealing of the four. As the Chargers’ roster sorted itself out, that proved true here.

Starks started the second exhibition on Aug. 15 but did not appear Saturday until the third quarter. Even as Dunlap received treatment on the sideline, Michael Harris was the one to relieve him.

For the line, the results were positive. Rivers had strong pass protection all night, and the Chargers’ first-team offense sustained balance in the first half. The running game yielded 74 yards on 18 attempts. The passing game gained 71 yards on 18 throws.

The Chargers subbed most of their offensive starters, including Rivers, at halftime. Wide receiver Robert Meachem was not among them.

Despite the Chargers having Danario Alexander, Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal sidelined with injuries, Meachem didn’t see the field until the third quarter. Seyi Ajirotutu, who signed and began learning coach Mike McCoy’s offense just eight days earlier, started opposite Vincent Brown, with Keenan Allen in the slot.

It gets worse for the high-priced 2012 free-agency signing. Ajirotutu left the game briefly in the second quarter with a hip pointer. Dan DePalma — not Meachem — filled in, playing in the slot and bumping Allen outside.

Meachem signed a four-year, $24.5 million contract last year that fully guaranteed him $14 million, including his $5 million base salary this season. As difficult as it is to conceive financially and with all the injuries, Meachem may still be on the outside looking in.

If the Chargers were looking for signs of life, they might have seen them in the second half. Meachem had two catches for 18 yards, although that came against Arizona’s reserves.

Meanwhile, two undrafted rookies continued to cement their roster spots.

Strong safety Jahleel Addae saw reps on special teams and played in the first-team dime unit as a third safety. Nose tackle Kwame Geathers blocked a second-quarter field goal and is expected to be the Chargers’ primary reserve nose tackle when the roster is cut to 53 players on Saturday.

Much of the preseason focus has been on the Chargers’ offense. That is a credit to the work of their defense.

It followed a strong showing in Chicago with another one in Glendale. Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney was a force off the right edge in the nickel defense, registering one hurry and a quarterback hit in the first two series. He ended the half with a spin move and a sack.

The Cardinals converted only two of seven third downs against the Chargers’ starters. Defensive end Corey Liuget missed the game with a shoulder strain, but he is expected to be ready by the Sept. 9 season opener.